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0 0 of wildlife habitat or land use conversion. Grangeville clay loam, partially drained, 0 to 2 percent slopes is a very deep, somewhat poorly drained, nearly level soil found on flood plains. The soils formed in alluvium derived from granitic rock sources. Permeability is moderately rapid. Available water capacity is moderate. Most areas are used for irrigated crops. This soil may provide wetland functions and values. These should be considered in plans for enhancement of wildlife habitat or land use conversion. This project will utilize the same 20 acres as the existing composting facility and will add urban green waste as an additional input for creating compost. Composting is an agricultural use. There is no loss of agricultural land. See Site Approval Application No. PA-0500726 (approved 10/29/2006) Negative Declaration and accompanying documents. 3.b. Plant/Animal The Natural Diversity Database does not list any rare, endangered, or threatened species or habitat on or near the site. Referrals have been sent to the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) for review. If SJCOG determines that the applicant may participate in the San Joaquin Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan (SJMSCP), and if the applicant chooses to participate, then the proposed project is consistent with the SJMSCP, as amended, as reflected in the conditions of project approval for this proposal. Pursuant to the Final EIR/EIS for the SJMSCP , dated November 15, 2000, and certified by the San Joaquin Council of Governments on December 7, 2000, implementation of the SJMSCP is expected to reduce impacts to biological resources resulting from the proposed project to a level of less-than- significant. If the applicant chooses not to participate, then the applicant will be required to participate in a similar mechanism that provides the same level of mitigation. Notwithstanding the above, the Negative Declaration, Conditions of Approval and Use Permit, Site Approval Application No. PA-0500726 (approved 10/29/2006) on the 20 acres for composting green material satisfied this condition. While the composting operation is currently operating on 13 of the 20 acres and accompanying documents and the remaining seven acres are being farmed on a seasonal basis. 4.a. Air/Climate The addition of urban green waste to the existing composting facility is less than significant. The existing permit has a maximum project area of 20 acres and no limit on tons per year. The proposed permit has a maximum size limit of 20 acres and a maximum of 182,500 tons per year of compostable material. Composting is classified as an agricultural use. The agricultural waste from landscaping services businesses and the urban green waste will be brought to the site by truck. The waste will then be windrowed in long rows. The windrows will be turned as needed with a windrow turning machine. Systematic monitoring of the windrows for temperature and humidity and then turning them as indicated ensures a quality product and reduces the potential for objectionable odors. This is in line with agricultural zone (AG-40) uses. Rule 4566 recently approved by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) mandates that all incoming feedstock material be incorporated into the composting process within 36 hours, and a specific water regime for the active composting piles significantly reduces VOC emissions for this facility. Additional requirements include process to reduce dust on and off the site. All stationary equipment emissions are also regulated by the SJVAPCD. The Odor Impact Mitigation Plan (GIMP) required by CalRecycle provides protocols to ensure no off-site nuisance will occur from potential odor at the site. The current OIMP will be updated to Initial Study -9- Rev 5-00 71185450.1 0078479-00001